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Friday, October 29

HaPpY FrIdAy! It's a preview day today! Claudia & Company will be releasing some fabulous new images on November 5th, but I am allowed to give you a little SNEAKY PEEK of one of the new images today! Maree Truelove designed this sweet wreath stamp! Of course I am sure she had Christmas in mind when creating it, but since I am not totally ready to see red and green yet, I turned it into a Fall wreath!

My card is using all paper and button products by Stampin' Up!, twine from a friend and Copic coloring, of course!

Be sure to check out all of the creations using this new image on the Claudia and Company BLOG HERE!! We will have another sneak peek on Wednesday, so look for that next week, but until then why not shop around the Die Cuts R Us store and see the vast array of products that Claudia has in store for you! From rubber and digital images to papers and embellies, Claudia has you covered for ALL of your crafty needs!

Tuesday, October 26

It's Halloween almost! Full of scary, spooky and spine-tingling creatures all around us! So why not put them to work for you!? Create something spooky and enter it into the 'A Crafty Little Place' challenge of the week HERE! You could just win the honor of being in our Top Three!

Saturday, October 23

Happy Saturday!!!!! Here's a newbie card for you! I used some new images by Maree Truelove! This Tea Party Set is available at the Die Cuts R Us store and is so versatile! Cute sentiments and adorably fun images perfect for the color-lovers out there like me!!!!!

I used some fabulous PRAIRIE BIRD BOUTIQUE ribbon to tie off the side and colored my image and sentiment with Copic markers to match these cute papers by Stampin' Up! The pearls are by KaiserScrapbook and are available at the DCRU store HERE, too!

Hope this gets you inspired in your craftroom today! I have to go take my Eli shopping for a birthday party, then hope to get to some crafting myself! Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, October 22

Happy Friday! For some odd reason this post didn't show up yesterday! AGK! SO, now I am a day off on my postings!!!!! Before I talk about my card, above, I need to let you know that yesterday, Melissa (owner of Meljen's Designs) released another collection of Halloween-fabulousness! This is my all-time FAVORITE set of Melissa's, JUST AWESOME! Didn't she capture the spirit of Halloween at it's finest?

I told ya! They are just awesome!! And with this release comes a new weekly challenge! And I know you will want to play! It is 'ANYTHING GOES'!! So, click HERE to see what the Design Team created wtih these new images AND to enter all that you make this week on the challenge post! You will be entered into a drawing for three FREE images from Melissa's store HERE!

Now, as for my card above! I used the 'Autumn Crow' image, but colored it to match the birds in the paper! The Stampin' Up! buttons have Making Memories wire wrapped through the holes, as does the ribbon, by PRAIRIE BIRD BOUTIQUE, has swirls of wire in it, too! I thought that was a neat idea, whatcha think?

Well, stop on over to the Meljen's Designs Blog and play along in this week's challenge! Can't wait to see what you make!

Tuesday, October 19

Isn't this just the sweetest? I am in love with Lori Boyd's LOLLIPOP stamps, they are so cute! I think this Bumble Bee is perfect for these Cosmo Cricket papers! So sunny and happy, just like a busy, buzzing bee! And what would a Bee BE without flowers? So I was sure to surround this one with a swirl of flowers by Prima, accented with rhinestones by KaiserScrapbook! I love my bling!

This week at A Crafty Little Place, we are hosting an EASEL CHALLENGE! Don't know how to make an easel card? Well, skip on over HERE to see Sheri's easy to follow tutorial! Then make one to be entered into this week's challenge!

Be sure to check out these papers and Lollipop stamps at the Die Cuts R Us store! Claudia always has less-than-retail prices on all of her items! So, it's always SALE DAY at DCRU!

Sunday, October 17

Want a chance to win these fabulous items from Nikki Sivils? Well CLICK HERE to see the details at 'A Crafty Little Place'! You just need to become a follower and make a comment! That's it!! It ends tomorrow at noon Eastern time, so do it now! GOOD LUCK!

Friday, October 15

Who says that pumpkins can't be pretty!? This cute image is from Jane's Doodles and is available at the Die Cuts R Us store HERE! Josh is home for fall break which makes me realize that fall really is here although you wouldn't know it by the weather we have been having here in Indiana! It is FINALLY dipping into the high 60's! Geez, it was a hot summer even up to this week! All of our grass is dead due to the lack of rain, too! In the whole neighborhood, there's not a green blade in sight! But at least the leaves are turning beautiful colors of red, yellow and orange to liven up the sky!

Anyhoo! I used some retired Stampin' Up! papers and some scrolly pearls to make this elegant fall card. The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and I used my trusty ol' Copics to color in the pumpkins! Be sure to check out more fall images at the Claudia and Company Blog HERE! There's rubber and digital stamps available, so there's something for everyone, including you!!

Thursday, October 14

Happy Meljen's Designs NEW Release day to you!!!!! It's another Thursday, which means MORE wonderful images from Melissa and a NEW challenge, too!! HERE are the details, but maybe you can tell what the challenge is by these two pictures! It's a TAG challenge and we want you to join us!! Melissa released some cute Halloween and fall images today and she hopes they inspire you!

I used this cute Witchy Cat for my card front and then used this Happy Halloween sentiment from Melissa, too! Below are the new images from today! Aren't they just the sweetest? Check out what the oh so talented Design Team did HERE with these new cuties; and the challenge info is in there, too!

Tuesday, October 12

It's another color challenge! Besides sketches, I love color challenges the best! Challenges give me a starting point, so this inspiration came easy with these Cosmo Cricket Wanted papers available at the Die Cuts R Us store! For this challenge at A Crafty Little Place, you are to use Rust, Gold, Blue and Brown! Be sure to show us your stuff with this easy challenge HERE, perfect colors for fall so why not whip those two together?!

This card is way more clean and simple than my normal style of cards, but I actually still like it which even shocks me! I am all about layers and images, you know, but this one is stylish with a fun border EK Success punch, a little Martha Stewart glitter down the side and a bit of bling by KaiserScrapbook just perks it up! AND did you see this So Random Stamp sentiment? It's so popular right now, so I really enjoyed using it! I know who this is going to be sent to, too! Just sayin'!!!!!!!! HAHA!

Saturday, October 9

There are some Meljen's Designs FANS that have been requesting Melissa's images in RED RUBBER, am I right?! Well, today your wish has come true! Melissa has created a special line of stamps for YOU and just in time to get those Christmas cards started!! They are ready for Pre-Order TODAY at Whimsy Stamps HERE and will ship to you in a few weeks! EEEEK!!

Aren't these just adorable images?!?!?!? They are available for purchase individually as well as in a collection with a discount! WOOHOO!! I think the puppy with reindeer antlers in the gift-wrapping is so adorable! And look at that Holly Bear, she's soo pretty and feminine! And snowflake BUNNY, I always love her striped legs!! AGK that Santa Bear couple is just too sweet, too! AND being a cat-lover myself, that snow-kitty is one of my favorites! I can't wait to get my Copics on these!!!!!!

To celebrate this RUBBER RELEASE there's a blog hop! AND if you hop along you may possibly WIN the WHOLE collection!! Be sure to HOP to each of the Whimsy Stamps Designers' Blogs beginning HERE with Chris Olsen! Enjoy the HOP and Good Luck!

Thursday, October 7

Happy Thursday!!!!!!! The first week of October is passing us by which officially puts us into "FALL" but I couldn't help but make a summery looking card with this cute digi image EMERY from Claudia and Company!! Isn't she fun? I added cute rhinestones to the flowers on her dress to give her some style! Claudia has some of the sweetest stamps at her Die Cuts R Us Store! Check out the digital images HERE!

Again my seam binding ribbon is from Prairie Bird Boutique, I just love this stuff! I think it gives the cards a whole different look than grossgrain or taffeta ribbon, kinda shabby chic! AND it is so reasonable! You get five yards EACH of three different colors for $5.00! It's almost crazy, right? 15 yards for $5.00!! OH and the buttons and paper are from Stampin' UP! and I used Copics for coloring, of course!

Be sure to see more of Claudia's digis in action on her blog HERE!! Your mojo will be flowing before you know it! And be sure to come back tomorrow for some HUGE stamping news! Don't you hate being teased?? HaHa!!

Tuesday, October 5

Hi-dee Ho, Neighbors! This week's challenge at A Crafty Little Place is a special one! It's a challenge within a challenge with a prize!!!!!!! It's not abnormal to have a sketch challenge of course!! BUT we put a twist on it! Check out the details HERE at the ACLP blog!

Sunday, October 3

Well, I have hinted long enough! Here's the news! Not only is today the SIX MONTH Anniversary of Meljen's Designs (it's sky-rocketing to huge heights of success!!!) BUT it's the announcement that we expanded our Design Team! Actually, we DOUBLED it in size! So, now there's going to be even MORE inspiration and MORE fun at the Meljen's Designs blog each week!

So, this excitement calls for a BLOG HOP PARTY, don't you think?!! Hop along, meet the newbies and greet the regulars! If you are already HOPPING, you should have come here from Melissa Forquer's BLOG! If not, the list is below, but first let me tell you about my card!

Here's a sweet Halloween card that I made for my son's teacher, Mrs. Denu. She's been super helpful with Eli and getting him into the swing of 3rd grade-things, so I have to say THANKS in a nice way to her, of course including some candy! Along with some Stampin' Up! papers, copic coloring and ribbon by Prairie Bird Boutique, I used this cute image 'Pumpkin Bumpkin' that was just released yesterday! Be sure to see the new images and the new challenge at the BLOG, too! You will want to play along!

Ok, keep on with the PAR-TAY! Hop on over to Sandy's BLOG HERE! She is getting you into the Christmas spirit with her two cards!! There are FOUR PRIZES to be won, so be sure to leave everyone some love!

Howdy!

The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary states that an ARTISAN IS: one that produces something in limited quantities often using traditional methods. Yep, that's me! Artistry originates from the soul and is about expressing one's self. A TRUE artist creates from talent that is found from WITHIN, not from copying another! I want to share my love of art and design with you!

Background Check

Opinionated Woman - born in PA - lived in FL, TX, VA & IN, obviously - Genius IQ - didn't apply it in school LOL! - married at 18 - mom to first boy at 19 { HE is now in college at 21 }- divorced at 23 - bachelorette - past kitchen, bath & furniture designer - one cat - remarried at 30 to Honey (a.k.a. Scott)- mom again to boy 9, and again to girl 8, and last time to boy 6 - losing my mind, ha ha - added another cat - another outside cat added me -finally got a puppy {named Pepsi} I have been wanting for years - now 40 - present jewelry designer - and artist - and paper~crafter - futurewho knows what ? {SCENTSY CONSULTANT, that's what! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MY REAL 'JOB'!}- Livin' the good life IN LOVE - Nicole

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What IS Lampwork?

Not everyone understands what "Lampwork" means. SO, in my meager attempt to explain what it is, I hope it clarifies my lust for it!

Simply put, lampwork is: Glass beads made by hand with a torch. Individually made (one bead at a time) by melting skinny sticks of glass (called stringers) onto a non-stopping spinning mandrel (metal stick that makes the bead hole) in order to keep the bead's round symetrical shape. How's that for a run-on sentence??

To realize the patience and talent that goes into EACH and EVERY bead will make you a lover as well! The flowing scrolls take experience, the evenly spaced dots and swirls take a steady hand AND focused eye!

Each bead is a miniature 'Work of Art'! NOW do you understand why I LOVE and APPRECIATE them??